FIFA lawyers force B.C. spinal injury charity to scrap World Cup ticket raffle
The charity refunded buyers after FIFA said the raffle broke trademark and ticketing rules, and the two tickets were moved to an official resale marketplace.
- On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the non-profit organization Spinal Cord Injury in Vancouver, British Columbia, cancelled a World Cup ticket raffle after receiving a legal notice from FIFA alleging trademark infringement.
- Representing FIFA, the Toronto-based law firm Lipkus Law sent a letter on May 11, informing the charity it was violating trademark rules and ticketing policy by facilitating unauthorized ticket promotion.
- Executive Director Chris McBride purchased two tickets for the June 21 match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver for about $500 each, raising about $2,300 through the raffle.
- McBride said the organization cancelled the raffle and refunded all ticket purchases, noting they are "disappointed that this small little enterprise and the opportunity was being denied to us."
- FIFA explained that tickets are "personal, revocable licences" requiring consent for promotional use, adding these provisions protect the "integrity and fair allocation of tickets" for the FIFA World Cup.
29 Articles
29 Articles
B.C. charity scraps World Cup ticket raffle after letter from FIFA lawyers
A B.C. non-profit that supports people with spinal injuries was forced to cancel a raffle for a pair of World Cup tickets after receiving a nine-page letter from FIFA's lawyers, accusing it of trademark infringement and ticket rule violations.
The Toronto Star
FIFA lawyers force B.C. spinal injury charity to scrap World Cup ticket raffle
VANCOUVER - A British Columbia non-profit that supports people with spinal injuries was forced to cancel a raffle for a pair of World Cup tickets after receiving a nine-page letter
FIFA Lawyers Force BC Spinal Injury Charity to Scrap World Cup Ticket Raffle
A British Columbia non-profit that supports people with spinal injuries was forced to cancel a raffle for a pair of World Cup tickets after receiving a nine-page letter from FIFA’s lawyers, accusing it of trademark infringement and ticket rule violations. Chris McBride, executive director of Spinal Cord Injury BC, said a staff member purchased two tickets on behalf of the organization through regular channels for the June 21 game between New Zea…
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